PL MATCHDAY 16 REVIEW: Unholy Saints lose again as Chelsea metamorphose
By Esosa Osa
Sack letters, late drama, and red cards were well distributed in this weekend’s encounters. Blink and you miss it. Luckily, you get to read all about it here.
Newcastle darkened Ruud van Nistelrooy’s bright start to life as Leicester Manager with a 4-0 thrashing. From the onset, his team looked like they did not stand a chance and a chance they did not have, as they failed to create a big chance throughout the game. Falling to goals from Alexander Isak, Bruno Guimarães, and a Jacob Murphy brace.
Sean Dyche lectured Mikel Arteta on the art of defence as Everton secured a goalless draw at the Emirates, rendering Arsenal to just one big chance throughout the game. 10-man Liverpool narrowly escaped with a draw at home to Fulham. Andreas Pereira opened the scoring with Antonee Robinson running down the wing. Andy Robertson was sent off shortly after for a professional last-man foul, worsening the situation for his team. The Reds grabbed their equaliser just after the break, through Cody Gakpo. Rodrigo Muniz goal set up a nervous ending at Anfield but the returning Diogo Jota grabbed his side a well-fought point.
Wolves saw defeat for the 11th time this season, this time at the hands of Ipswich. Matt Doherty’s own goal and Jack Taylor’s late winner meant that Mathues Cunha’s equaliser was simply mathematical and by Sunday afternoon, Gary O’Neil was sacked. Nottingham Forest hunt for a European place continued as they came from behind to defeat Aston Villa, 2-1. Nikola Milenković and Anthony Elanga late goals cancelled out Jhon Duran’s opener as the men from the City Ground now sit in 4th.
Crystal Palace were surprise winners in their clash against Brighton, defeating the Seagulls, 3-1. Trevor Chalobah opened the scoring and Ismaïla Sarr put the Eagles beyond sight. Marc Guehi’s late own goal meant nothing in the grand scheme of things. City woes continued in the Manchester Derby, losing 2-1 with plenty of late drama. The Citizens opened the scoring 36 minutes in, after Josko Gvardiol met De Bruyne’s immaculate cross. City conjured a couple of half-chances, most falling to Phil Foden. And looked to close out the game after Bruno Fernandes missed a massive chance late on. But Amad Diallo had other plans.
Mathues Nunes brought down the Ivorian inside the area after just giving the ball away. Bruno Fernandes made no mistake from 12 yards out and on the 90th-minute mark, Amad Diallo rounded Ederson after a sublime pass from Lisandro Martínez to seal a memorable first derby game for Ruben Amorim.
Southampton were decimated by Tottenham, losing 5-0 in front of their home fans. It was a Sunday to forget for the Saints as they were torn to pieces by Spurs, conceding all five in the first half. Heung-min Son, Dejan Kulusevski, Pape Matar Sarr, and James Maddison’s brace sent home fans back to their respective home by half-time. The scores remained the same at the final whistle with the North London side taking their foot off the gas. Before midnight Russell Martin’s status changed to unemployed.
Chelsea made it seven wins in seven in all competitions since returning from the November international break. Brentford had only taken a point from seven away games before the game and deployed their low block in desperate need of a result. Maresca’s side responded by making 21 crosses in the first half and it paid off as Marc Cucurella brilliantly headed Noni Madueke’s cross. Chelsea created more chances in the second-half but failed to hit the target.
In the 80th minute, Nicolas Jackson made it 2-0 with a composed finish just inside the box, a few minutes after Brenford’s Fabio Carvalho hit the bar from close range. Bryan Mbuemo made it 2-1 on the 90th minute mark but the Blues held on and now sit two points behind Liverpool who have a game in hand. In Monday night’s action, Enes Ünal’s free-kick secured a point for Bournemouth after Lucas Paquetá opened the scoring with a penalty. Both goals coming late in the game to wrap up Matchday 16.
